{"id":49,"date":"2020-02-03T14:46:16","date_gmt":"2020-02-03T14:46:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.westhartforddentalgroup.com\/blog\/?p=49"},"modified":"2020-03-10T14:46:23","modified_gmt":"2020-03-10T14:46:23","slug":"gum-disease-affect-heart","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.westhartforddentalgroup.com\/blog\/2020\/02\/03\/gum-disease-affect-heart\/","title":{"rendered":"How Does Gum Disease Affect Your Heart?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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The month of February is often associated with the color red,\nfrom bouquets of roses to heart-shaped boxes of chocolate. One red thing that\nwe don\u2019t often think of in February is red gums caused by gum disease. Because February\nis Gum Disease Awareness Month, as well as the month of love, now seems like\nthe perfect time to talk about the established connection between gum\ndisease<\/a> and the health of your heart. Read on as a dentist explains the link,\nand how you can save your heart by taking good care of your gums. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

What Is Gum Disease?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Gum disease is a bacterial infection in your gums that is\ntypically caused by high levels of plaque in your mouth. Neglecting to schedule\nregular teeth cleanings or brush and floss every day can cause plaque to build\nup. This sticky film of food particles and bacteria can then irritate the gums,\nresulting in inflammation. This inflammation is the key to the gum-heart\nconnection. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Does Gum Disease Affect Your Heart?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Inflammation is a common immune system reaction to\ninfection, especially in sensitive areas such as the mouth. The inflammation in\nthe gums can create a chain reaction of inflammation that spreads throughout the\nbody, eventually settling in the heart. It can narrow important arteries, increasing\nyour risk of heart attack and stroke. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s another reason for the connection between oral\nhealth and heart health. When gum disease reaches its later stages, the gums\nmay recede, forming pockets between gums and teeth. Bacteria in your gums then\nhave easy access to your bloodstream through these pockets. They can travel to\nother areas of your body, including your heart, and cause infections there. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Can You Keep Gum Disease at Bay?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

To keep your heart in good health, you have to do a bit more\nthan just eating right and exercising. It\u2019s also a good idea to keep these tips\nin mind for preventing gum disease:<\/p>\n\n\n\n